2012 MLB Offseason: Top Under the Radar Free Agents at Each Position

Every winter, there are a handful of a free agents that cause your heart to skip a beat. This offseason it will be Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder and Jose Reyes. Everyone is tracking where they go. Often times, it is the under the radar free agent that makes the bigger impact during the season. Here, we will see one under the radar free agent at each position.

First Base: Carlos Pena

Kent Horner/Getty ImagesPena could be on the move depending on what the Cubs do.

Current Team: Chicago Cubs

Current Contract: 10 million

Projected Contract: 5-10 million per season

Outlook: The Cubs don't know whether to scratch their watch or wind their butt right now. They have no GM and they have no direction. They were rumored to be interested in either Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols before Jim Hendry was let go. Pena hits for a low average, but has very good power and draws a lot of walks. He could be a good value for a team that has a hole at first.

Second Base: Mark Ellis

Overview: In 2007, Mark Ellis hit .276 with 19 home runs and 76 RBIs. That seems like a decade ago. He hasn't produced close to that since, but he is an excellent under the radar candidate because he is still among the top five fielding second basemen in baseball. Furthermore, the move to Denver was good for him. He likely will end up back with the Rockies, but a team could sneak in and swoop him up.

Shortstop: Marco Scutaro

Rob Carr/Getty ImagesScutaro may not even qualify in this category.

Current Team: Boston Red Sox

Current Contract: 5 million

Potential Salary: 5-10 million per season

Overview: Sometimes, there are under the radar players that get so much run that they cease to be under the radar. Scutaro is one of those players. He hit nearly .300 this year and was a solid defensive shortstop. Funny how teams will overpay for someone only slightly better like Jose Reyes.

Third Base: Aramis Ramirez

Denis Poroy/Getty ImagesRamirez is under the radar despite a great 2011 season.

Current Team: Chicago Cubs

Current Contract: 14.6 million

Potential Salary: 10-15 million per season

Overview: Normally, a player like Ramirez wouldn't qualify for a list like this. He is easily the best third baseman available and he had a great season. However, with all of the other big names available, he is being forgotten. The Cubs want to cut salary, so he will probably end up with another address.

Catcher: Ryan Doumit

Overview: Ryan Doumit will never win a Gold Glove award, but neither will Mike Napoli. The Pirates never figured out how to properly use Doumit's hittiing ability. The Rangers figured out a way with Napoli, and they are seemingly on their way to the World Series. Doumit is no Napoli at the plate, but he is surprisingly good for someone few have heard of. Look for an American League team to find a possible hybrid platoon that will work. The Royals seem like a good fit.

Outfield 1: Michael Cuddyer

Hannah Foslien/Getty ImagesMichael Cuddyer can rake better than most people think.

Current Team: Minnesota Twins

Current Salary: 10.5 million

Potential Salary: 5-10 million per season

Overview: The Twins had a miserable season last year and may be willing to let just about everyone walk in an effort to rebuild. Cuddyer is a jack of all trades and master of none. He can play half of the positions on the diamond, but none of them particularly well. Still, he will be a nice addition for some team that wants either quality bench depth or a serviceable right fielder.

Outfielder 2: Coco Crisp

Jeff Golden/Getty ImagesCrisp has flown under the radar for his entire career.

Current Team: Oakland Athletics

Current Salary: 5.75 million

Potential Salary: 4-8 million per season

Overview: The Athletics seem more interested in bringing back Josh Willingham. Crisp is a capable centerfielder that usually puts up decent numbers. Someone always needs a center fielder, so he will find a job, but he might need to take a pay cut.

Outfield 3: Ryan Ludwick

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesLudwick likely won't be a Pirate next year.

Current Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Current Salary: 6.775 million

Potential Salary: 4-6 million

Outlook: The Pirates traded for Ludwick to help with the stretch drive. He could end up being their everyday right fielder, but it's more likely he'll end up elsewhere. Everyone is hoping the .299/37/104/113 Ludwick from 2008 will return. That's probably not happening, but he has been a .250/17/61/80 player since then. That's not half bad for a guy that can play right or left field. Some team will sign him to plug a hole.

Starting Pitcher: Javier Vazquez

Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesVazquez has been unfairly labeled as an underachiever.

Current Team: Florida Marlins

Current Salary: 7 million

Potential Salary: 8-12 million per season

Outlook: Few people really have a handle on Vazquez. He has 12 consecutive seasons of 10 or more wins. His lowest innings total in this century is 157 innings. The next lowest was his 192 effort from this season. He's gone over 200 strikeouts five times and an ERA under 4.00 six times. Sure, he may have 20-win stuff, but take the consistent performance and thank your lucky stars.

Relief Pitcher: Javier Lopez

Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesLopez has quietly been very effective in San Francisco.

Current Team: San Francisco Giants

Current Salary: 2.375 million

Potential Salary: 2-4 million per season

Overview: Lopez was legitimately terrible in 2009 with the Red Sox, but if we take that season out, here are his ERAs moving back: 2.72, 2.34, 2.43, 3.10, 2.70. That's all the way back to 2006. Lefties always get attention in FA, but they don't get as much as closers. I think the team that signs this guy is going to be quite satisfied.